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Sports Oakville Beaver Sign up now for guitar, bass, drums, and piano OAKVILLE'S MUSIC STORE SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2009 27 `Sister' act lands on novice podium Pedersen wins gold, Bolger earns bronze at Elite Canada meet By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF They ride to the gym together, they go to school together, they train together. So it only seemed fitting that Jordyn Pedersen and Elise Bolger shared the podium Saturday at the Elite Canada women's gymnastics competition. "Even though we're not related, we're like sisters," said Pedersen, who won the all-around novice title. "We see each other more than our families." Pedersen clanked as she walked off the floor, six medals around her neck, after finishing in the top three of each event -- the only gymnast to do so. Bolger took the allaround bronze as well as a silver on vault. Pedersen built a lead of slightly more than two points after the opening day of the competition over Maegan Chant of Hamilton. Most of that advantage (1.7) came from Pedersen's beam routine, where she scored a 15.600, the division's highest score in any event. A highly difficult routine that includes back handspring, layout, back pike, it carried a difficulty of 8.1. (Bolger -- 7.5 on beam -- was the only other competitor in the meet to perform a routine with a difficulty higher than 7). After nailing the routine on the first day, even Pedersen couldn't contain her excitement. "I was so proud of myself I clapped after I presented to the judges," the 12 year old said. "It's a whole new routine and I was so happy to do it at this meet." Pedersen would almost replicate the performance on Day 2, earning a 15.450 that all but guaranteed the all-around title. "She's a little powerhouse," said coach Susan Manjak. A strong floor routine that earned her a silver medal for the event sealed the victory for the Grade 7 Heritage Glen student. Her third year in the novice division, the win completed Pedersen's journey from 28th two years ago, to fourth last year. Gymnastics actually won out over a host of other activities for Pedersen, including soccer, jazz and ballet dance, swimming and track and field. "Everything she does, she works hard at it," said her father, Randy. She now focuses her attention on gymnastics, which she began at the age of two in a mom and tot class. "I get a lot of energy out doing it," she says. Bolger had a little work to do to join her friend on the podium. She was fourth after the Friday's session, trailing RoseKalam Woo of British Columbia by seventenths of a point. But she literally vaulted herself into position for an all-around medal Saturday. Beginning the second day on vault, she was virtually flawless with not so much as a step on either landing. "We've been calling her sticky feet all day," Manjak said. With execution marks of 8.900 and a total of 14.800, Bolger missed out on the See Bronze page 28 HEAD OVER HEELS: Jordyn Pedersen keeps her eye on the beam as she competes at Elite Canada Friday. Pedersen won the all-around gold. NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER Returning Members Online Registration Only December 16 - February 14 Open Registration p g February 20 and February 27 9:00 am ­ 12:00 pm Oakville Town Hall South Atrium 1225 Trafalgar Road (March 8, 2010 Open Registration Begins, In Person Only, 1520 Pine Glen Road, Late Fees Apply) Proudly u sponsored by d A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club